Sconces

Before electric lighting existed, candles were used to light homes. One of the ways that you could position your candles was in wall sconces. Sconces are fixtures attached to the wall with some form of arms extended to hold the lighting fixtures a safe distance away from the wall itself.

Traditional Wall Sconces

Traditional wall sconces have tremendous variety. Some are electric features with light bulbs that are actually used to provide ambient light in a room. Authentic candle sconces allow the homeowner to enjoy the ambient light that only candles can provide. These pieces are specifically designed for aesthetic value and fire safety.

In this day and age, most wall sconces are primarily decorative. They can provide some indirect light and enhance a space, but it is usually the fixture itself which is the major decorative feature. A plain room is instantly embellished with a pair of decorative wall sconces. Most often, they are used in hallways and over fireplaces or mantles, where they invoke a sense of old fashioned elegance.

Placement of sconces is crucial to their success in your decorative scheme. Many people find it challenging to place them because they don't know whether the ideal frame of reference is a standing or sitting position, or whether the sconce should be placed solely based on how it looks in the room. One guideline is that the center of the sconce should be 60 inches from the floor, or that the sconce should be at eye level when you are sitting on a chair or sofa. With higher ceilings, however, you may opt to hang sconces higher so that they look more balanced in the room.